Community News – 10-16-2024
Community –
For years, we’ve been praying together, asking God to move here at Community. We’ve prayed for revival, for passion, for growth. Here’s what I’m wondering: What if God did what we’re asking? What would it look like?
Acts 2:42-47 provides a compelling picture of what it can look like when God shows up in a city. Notice something here: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (vv46-47).
After God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost, the earliest followers of Jesus met together in public gatherings (at the temple courts) and in more localized and personal settings (in homes throughout the city). I think that we’re wired to need both types of gatherings. There’s nothing quite like the encouragement that we get from praising God together with hundreds of others. God’s presence is felt in a unique way in these large gatherings of the church.
But the weekend experience is not enough. We need a more familiar space, where we can know others and be known by others. We need a space where we can break bread and spur each other on to love and good deeds. We need a place where we can partner with others to bless our neighborhoods.
For the early church (v46), this was done by meeting in homes, sharing a meal, praising God, and enjoying the favor of the people around them (perhaps a sign that they were actively working together to bless their neighbors?). I think that this is a big part of what it would look like if God blessed Community in a special way! Sometimes the church chases the new and novel thing, when God has already given what we need to experience His presence and blessing.
At Community, this in-home expression of church has needed a reboot for some time. It’s time for us to rediscover the value and beauty of “House Church” – a safe place to experience Jesus together through a shared meal, some intentional conversation, and an eye to bless our neighbors.
The House Churches of the first century were a true snapshot of the neighborhood’s diversity coming together in Jesus. The social mix of the church was a scandal: a craftsman and his family hosting the gathering; tenants renting a room in the craftsman’s home; neighbors; freed slaves; migrant workers; Jews; Gentiles; rich; poor; different languages, cultures, and traditions. The House Church in the first century reflected the diversity of the neighborhood. So rather than splitting our church into social cliques and affinity groups, what if our groups looked as diverse as our local Ralphs or Vons! What if we encouraged, loved, and supported one another in the direction of Jesus across diverse generations, cultures, and life experiences!
Next month, we’re going to put our toes in the waters of House Church, so to speak. We’ve got homes across the Inland Valley (west of the 57 to east of the 15) that will open to host a special one-time dinner group. Come meet some folks from your neighborhood, share a great meal (everyone will contribute something), have some fun, and explore what it means to live and love like Jesus in your neighborhood.
Registration begins this weekend! We’re still looking to add a few neighborhoods/cities… so if you’re interested in hosting (this go around – or perhaps a future dinner group), let me know (brettsanner@findcommunity.com).
With Joy –
Pastor Brett
